Living with multiple stressors: The story of small-scale fishers’ wives in Indonesia

Augustina Situmorang, Widayatun Widayatun, Intan Adhi Perdana Putri, Inayah Hidayati, Mochammad Wahyu Ghani

Abstract


Fishing is widely recognised as one of the world’s most hazardous and male-dominated occupations. Daily uncertainty, fluctuating income and exposure to multiple stressors mark the livelihoods of small-scale fisher families. While fishermen face the risks of physical danger and seasonal instability, their wives often bear the hidden burden of sustaining the household’s social and economic stability. This study aims to: (1) identify the multiple stressors experienced by small-scale fishers’ wives in Indonesia; (2) examine the coping strategies they employ to sustain family well-being; and (3) explore how they perceive an ideal fishing family. The study was conducted among fishers’ families in three regencies of Indonesia: Demak in Central Java Province, Tapanuli Tengah in North Sumatra and Kepulauan Sula in North Maluku. Data collection took place between September 2020 and March–May 2021, using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, with adjustments made due to COVID-19 restrictions, including virtual focus group discussions and interviews. Descriptive analysis was applied to quantitative data and thematic analysis guided the qualitative findings. Our study shows despite the men's central roles in fishery, when families are facing significant stressors, it is the women who are in charge of keeping the family’s functions. The burdens on the fishermen's wives are multiplied, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the importance of recognising women's adaptive capacity in ensuring household resilience and gender-responsive coastal policies.

 

Keywords: COVID-19, family resilience, family stressor, fisherman wives, multiple stressors


Keywords


COVID-19, family resilience, family stressor, fisherman wives, multiple stressors

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References


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